A group of women in Democratic Republic of Congo are being mentored in efforts to plant and make
use of a multi-purpose tree. “Mentoring Cycle to Grassroots Women From Communities of
Bas-Fleuve” works with women to educate them about climate change, and help them find ways to
adapt. Through the effort, women chose to cultivate a type of tree that performs various functions
and has multiple uses.

Fast facts:

50 women in pilot project each planted a tree that is now mature

Goal of 250 women participating

5,000 trees planned to be planted, helping sequester carbon from the atmosphere

People in the villages of Democratic Republic of Congo, and in particular women, carry out subsistence
livelihoods and don’t have many alternatives if the weather turns bad and ruins their crops. But
climate change is making exactly that happen more often, which is increasing these people’s
vulnerability.

The solution

This project is mentoring women in the DRC community of Kinsambaba to cultivate the Moringa oleifera tree,
also known as the “miracle tree” or “tree of life.” The women themselves chose this
species for cultivation, as they already used it to some extent. Moringa oleifera’s roots, leaves,
pods, and seeds can be used for food, to produce oil, make soap, and even to purify water. The pilot phase
of the project had 50 women each plant a tree – those trees are now mature and giving back to the
community.

Helping the planet

Planting trees helps sequester carbon from the atmosphere, combating further climate change. Trees also
stabilize soil and help the earth to retain water, contributing to healthier ecosystems. That Moringa
oleifera’s products require healthy, mature trees insures that communities will not cut down these
useful resources.

Helping people

The trees provide a clear benefit to the community in all their potential uses: supplemental nutrition,
cleaner and safer water, and practical applications that have the potential to generate cash. Everyone
benefits from a healthier natural environment, while the focus on women is helping them develop themselves
individually and take on leadership roles. The community’s goal is to eventually earn enough money
off the trees to build its own school for village children. A better education is a decisive step in
further improving lives.

Spillover effect

The initial pilot project is planned to be scaled five times larger, to 250 participants. As the initial
trees matured, women in the community returned to project coordinators for further mentoring. They’re
now organizing small enterprises for manufacture of soap and oil. The program is already a replication of
another project, and another organization has plans to repeat it as well in a Madagascar community.